Oswalt requests trade from last-place Astros  —  The July 31 trading deadline is more than two months away, but one of baseball's best pitchers has asked to be put on the market.  —  Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt, a three-time National League All-Star, has asked owner Drayton McLane Jr. to be traded, a source said Friday.

Gammons On Martinez, Lowell, Iannetta  —  Peter Gammons made one of his regular appearances on WEEI's The Big Show on Friday afternoon to chat about the Red Sox.  Matt West has the full transcript, but here are a few of the more pertinent notes....  - David Ortiz's improved play led …

Capuano, Brewers Push Back Opt-Out Date  —  Tom Haudricourt of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Brewers and left-hander Chris Capuano have mutually agreed to postpone the opt-out date in the pitcher's contract to May 29.  Capuano could've opted out of the minor league deal …

Rangers may look for help behind plate  —  ARLINGTON — Rod Barajas is prominent among possible catchers whom the Rangers are scouting as spring moves into summer, and the July 31 Trade Deadline gets closer.  —  The Rangers had interest in Barajas in the offseason as a free agent …

Hamels hurls gem, Rollins hurting as Phillies top Red Sox  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cole Hamels (FSY) pitched seven impressive innings, Ryan Howard (FSY) and Jayson Werth (FSY) homered, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Boston Red Sox 5-1 on Friday night.

Vazquez hopes to make next start  —  Obviously most of the talk after the game centered on Javier Vazquez, who was hit on the right index finger while trying to bunt in the seventh inning.  X-rays were negative and Vazquez had a thick wrap on the finger, but said it wasn't hurting too badly.

BUEHRLE TWIRLS GEM AS WHITE SOX BLANK MARLINS  —  Sports Network  —  Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Mark Buehrle worked eight innings to pick up his first win since the second week of April and Alexei Ramirez drove in five runs in an 8-0 White Sox win to kick off a three-game interleague series with the Florida Marlins.

Penny hits grand slam in win but leaves game with strain  —  Anticipated for the return of former Cardinals starter Joel Piñeiro to Busch Stadium, the lasting significance of Friday's game instead will be the sudden departure of Brad Penny.  —  Penny hit the first grand slam of his career …

Francona: Relationship with Ortiz is good  —  David Ortiz, who had a lot to say yesterday, talked it over with Terry Francona this afternoon.  —  Ortiz spoke to Globe colleague Amalie Benjamin and did an interview on WEEI and expressed disappointment in how he was treated during his April slump, both by the media and by Francona.

Maine upset, Mets say they were protecting him  —  Following tonight's game, more than three hours after Jerry Manuel allowed him to throw just five pitches, John Maine remained angry about being removed.  Manuel and Dan Warthen maintained they were protecting the pitcher.

Tracy hoping to create RBI chances for Tulo  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Jason Giambi has logged 6,656 at-bats in the big leagues, 260 coming in the No. 2 spot in the batting order.  —  Make that 260 and counting.  —  Giambi will hit second tonight vs. the Royals when the Rockies open …

Prospect Jones clears final paperwork hurdle  —  Dominican 16-year-old will serve suspension, then start playing  —  SEATTLE — San Diego director of player development Randy Smith said on Friday that Duanel Jones was well worth the wait.  —  Smith said that Jones, a 16-year-old third base prospect …

HUDSON, BRAVES BLANK PIRATES IN SERIES OPENER  —  The Sports Network  —  Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Tim Hudson spun eight strong innings and Jason Heyward homered and drove in three runs to lead Atlanta to a convincing 7-0 win over the Pirates in the opener of a three-game set at PNC Park.